The History Of Greek Mythology

If you have ever found yourself wondering about the real stories behind the Greek myths we all grew up hearing, there is an event coming up in Brighton that might catch your interest. On Wednesday, 3 June 2026, the Brighthelm Church and Community Centre is hosting a talk titled The History Of Greek Mythology, led by the classicist and historian Dr Emily Hauser. She is the author of the book Mythica: The Bestselling Story of the Real Women of the Iliad and Odyssey, and this session is essentially a deep dive into the research behind that work.

Dr Hauser’s approach is quite specific; she moves away from the traditional retellings to look at the actual historical context. During the talk, she plans to examine the roles of figures like Helen of Troy, Circe, Calypso, and Aphrodite. What makes this interesting is the methodology she uses to unpack these narratives. Rather than just sticking to literary analysis, she incorporates original texts alongside recent archaeological findings and even DNA studies to see what we can actually know about these women and their lives. It is a structured look at how history and mythology intersect, which should provide a different perspective for anyone familiar with the classic stories.

The event is organised by Seed Talks and is scheduled to run from 19:00 to 21:30. It includes a Q&A session at the end, which is usually where these types of talks get a bit more conversational. The venue is located at 53 North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YD. Tickets are priced at £16.00 and are available through the DICE platform. It is worth noting that this is an 18+ event, so keep that in mind if you are planning to attend. It sounds like a straightforward evening for anyone interested in classics or history who wants to hear a bit more about the academic side of these ancient myths.